A four-wheeler from Bajaj Auto

Ravi Bajaj said the RE60, powered by a 200 cc rear mounted petrol engine could also be sold in overseas markets where BAL’s three wheelers are exported. Photo: R.V. Moorthy

The Hindu

Ravi Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto during the unveiling of new four wheeler RE60 in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: R.V. Moorthy

The Hindu

Ravi Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, said the company had spent nearly four years in developing the product that has a top speed of 70 kmph with a highest mileage of 35kmpl. Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Aimed at redefining the three-wheeler market, Bajaj Auto on Tuesday unveiled its four-wheeler — RE60 — that does not fall under the passenger car category but has several features present in a small car.

“We are offering an optimised solution for intra-city passenger transport…this vehicle has been designed keeping in mind the intra-city duty cycles and safety requirements,” Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj said after showcasing the vehicle two days before the beginning of the Auto Expo.

35 km a litre mileage

Equipped with rear-mounted 200 cc petrol engine, which delivers 15-20 hp of power, the RE60 promises to be lowest in carbon dioxide emissions and giving a mileage of 35 km a litre. It weighs 400 kg and has an overall length of 2752 mm, width 1,312 mm and height 1,650 mm.

“We have spent nearly four years in developing the product, which has a top speed of 70 km an hour.

“We have an excellent solution for the mobility challenges arising from the rapid urbanisation of India…we have an immediate solution to pollution that doesn't need new infrastructure, huge subsidies or time,” Mr. Bajaj pointed out. Refusing to disclose the price of the vehicle, Mr. Bajaj said the vehicle, which could be adapted for use of other greener fuels such as CNG and LPG, would be available for sale in the next few months. “We see huge potential for this vehicle in India as well in emerging countries where public transport is in bad shape. We have developed this vehicle in a new platform that can be used to develop our future vehicles,” he added. “We make about 5.2-lakh three-wheelers a year, of which only two lakh units are sold in India alone...so we see this market offering us a huge replacement opportunity. We are considering exporting RE60 to Sri Lanka where we sell good amount of our three-wheelers…we will also look at African markets,” Mr. Bajaj added.

On the Renault-Nissan association, Mr. Bajaj said their top management would be coming to see the RE60 at the Auto Expo, which would decide the way forward for the alliance. As per an agreement with the Renault-Nissan alliance, Bajaj Auto is to develop and manufacture the vehicle and sold under the badge of the alliance.